Contact assembly



Dec. 13, 1955 J, FILKQ 2,727,104

CONTACT ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1955 FIG.|

INVENTOR: JOH N F-l L K 0 Dec. 13, 1955 J. FILKO 2,727,104

CONTACT ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

JOHN FILKO BY X United States Patent CONTACT ASSEMBLY John Filko, Chicago, Ill., assignor to F. & B. Mfg. (30., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application January 25, 1955, Serial N 0. 483,869

Claims. (Cl. 200-30) This invention relates in general to a contact assembly, including a distributor plate and contacts mounted thereon, for automatic advancement and retardation of the spark for internal combustion motors, wherein the distributor plate is mounted for oscillation in accordance with the requirements of automotive sparking ignition systems. Specifically, the invention relates to contact assemblies to be mounted on an oscillating upper distributor plate.

The assembly of the invention consists of a distributor plate upon which there is mounted a rigid bar or base plate carrying a spring urged contact arm. The contact arm includes a tubular portion which fits over a post on the distributor plate so that the arm may rotate or oscillate on the distributor plate for making and breaking contact.

Heretofore, contact assemblies have been made and sold as separate non-attached-parts for replacement purposes. Therefore, when a serviceman had to install a contact assembly he first had to place the rigid bar or base plate on the distributor plate in proper position and then place the contact arm so that the tubular portion received the post, and then attach a spring to the contact arm and to a part of the base plate necessitating applying the free end of the spring to a fiber bracket or strip on the bar or base plate. It was then necessary for the serviceman to force the outer free end of the spring arm against the fiber bracket and to hold it there while inserting the nut and bolt. The nut then had to be tightened to lock the parts together and to secure the condenser wire under the nut. This prior construction of a base plate and the contact parts and spring made it exceedingly difiicult and expensive to mount the contact arm and its other cooperating parts upon the base plate because it was necessary for the distributor post to be present.

The present invention embodies a construction whereby the contact arm and base plate can be assembled together in unitary fashion as a single unit prior to placement on the contact arm over the post and the mounting of the unit on the distributor plate. The structure of the invention enables this to be done by providing a tubular brass member or ferrule received within the tubular boss part on the contact arm, the contact arm being formed at its lower end with an enlarged hollow portion to receive a boss at the lower end of the post. The rigid base plate or bar is provided with an opening which receives the head of a screw on the distributor plate, whereby the contact arm and base plate are held together including the attachment of the outer free end of the spring to the fiber bracket or strip.

The tubular brass member or ferrule has two bores and is made of such size as to receive the post on the distributor plate, the hollow enlarged bottom end of the post forming the other bore of the ferrule receives the enlarged bottom end or boss thereof. Therefore, in-

order to apply the assembly of the invention to a dis- 2,727,104 Patented Dec. 13, 1955 tributor plate, the serviceman merely drops the assembly in place on the post, leaving only the connector wire to be slipped under the nut of the bolt which fastens the spring arm to the fiber bracket. A clip member is provided for holding the free end of the spring to the fiber bracket.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, consists in the provision of a new and improved contact assembly arranged as a single unit which is adapted to be applied as a unit over the post on a distributor plate.

Another object is the provision of a new and improved unitary element comprising a plurality of pieces which are adapted to be assembled together and held in such assembled position and applied over the post on a distributor plate.

A further object consists in the provision of a rigid plate member, or bar upon which the various elements assembled as a unit are mounted for easy and quick application to a distributor plate, the assembled unit being received by a post on the distributor plate and maintained in relative proper position by a screw or rivet head on the distributor plate which fits into an opening in the base plate or bar.

A still further object consists in the provision of a clip member for attaching the free end of a spring to an insulated bracket, the spring urging the contact arm into contact engagement and the clip being positioned to hold certain parts of the assembly unit in assembled condition.

Numerous other objects and advantages will be apparent throughout the progress of the specification which is to follow.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment of the invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view showing the assembly arranged in a unit and mounted on the post of a distributor plate;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view showing the contact arm, its supporting spring and the other parts for mounting on the stationary bar or base plate prior to assembly;

Figs. 3 to 5, inclusive, are detail perspective views showing the progressive manner in which the parts are arranged for assembly;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view showing the parts in their assembled position as a unitary element;

Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the mounting clip, looking at the inside thereof;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but looking in the opposite direction.

Fig. 9 is a detail top plan view of a distributor plate with the contact assembly unit omitted;

Fig. 10 is a similar view but showing the contact assembly arranged on the distributor plate;

Fig. 11 is a detail longitudinal sectional view on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention comprises a movable distributor plate 1 having an upstanding rigid post 2 which is riveted or secured to the plate 1, the post 2 embodying a solid post part 3 and a supporting lower base part or boss 4, Fig. 10. The bottom part or boss 4 of the post 2 is peened over on the underside of the distributor plate 1 to securely lock the post 2 in position between the peened over bottom and the boss part 4 which is at the top of the distributor plate, Figs. 1 and 10 to 12. A

'contact assembly unit 5 is adapted to be mounted on the:

distributor plate 1 merely by placing the same over the post 2.

The unit contact assembly 5 comprises a stationary bar or base plate 6, Figs. 1 to 6 and to 12, which is adapted to rest on top of the distributor plate 1. This bar or base plate member 6 is provided with a circular opening '7 at one end thereof into which an upstanding hollow or tubular member or ferrule 8 having two bores, is adapted to be secured such as by a spinning, peening or other like operation. The hollow or two bored ferrule 8 is provided with an upstanding hollow hub portion 9 arranged at its lower end and rests on top of the base plate or rigid bar 6, Figs. 11 and 12. The bottom of the hollow member or ferrule 8 is in the form of a depression or socket 10, whereby the base plate member 6 may be mounted on the distributor plate 1, the socket part 16 of the hollow member or ferrule 8 receiving the upstanding hollow boss part 4 of the post 2. The bottom of the base plate member 6 is provided with an elongated opening 11 which receives the head 12 of a rivet, screw or other abutment, so that the base plate 6 is maintained in proper position by merely slipping the base plate over the post 2 with the slot receiving the head 12, Figs. 10 and ll. The bottom of the plate also may be provided with an elongated slot which alines with a threaded opening in the distributor plate 1 so that a screw may lock the assembly in adjusted fixed position.

The unitary or preset assembly 5 includes a contact arm 13 which is provided with a bore 14 of relatively large size, the bore being surrounded by a pre-formed collarlike part. An insulating cylinder 15 is arranged within the bore 14 and extends a predetermined distance below the contact arm 13 and a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the contact arm, the member 15 fitting over the ferrule 8. The contact arm 13 is in the shape or con figuration disclosed in the various views and embodies a contact 16 at its outer end which is adapted to cooperate with a contact 17, on an upstanding car 18 on the base plate 6. The contact arm 13 is adapted to be yieldingly urged toward the contact 17 on the ear 1% so that the contacts 16 and 17 will be urged together by a flat spring 19.

The spring 19 is connected or fastened to the contact arm 13 on the outer side thereof and extends about the curved part 20 of the contact arm, being fastened at its free end to an upstanding insulating member or bracket 21. Means are provided to prevent the contact arm 13 from shifting with respect to the spring 19, and this means may comprise a slot 22 formed in the spring 19 and an edge or extension 23 on the contact arm which fits into the slot 22 of the spring. The free end of the spring 19 is secured to the insulation member or bracket 21 by means of a clip 24, Figs. 7 and 8.

The clip 24, Figs. 7 and 8, is relatively channel-shaped, having downturned legs 25, 2S and an integral closure or closing end 26. Each leg 25 is provided with an elongated inverted U-shaped slot or cutout, 27. The U-shaped clip fits over the outside of the insulation bracket member 21, and the free end of the spring 19 is arranged beneath inner surface of the clip 24. A head of a bolt passes through a slot 27 of the clip, through an opening in the insulation bracket 21 and out of the other opening 27 on the reverse or out side of the clip 24. The clip includes spaced vertical fianges 23, 28 on both sides, tl e flanges 23 on their inner surfaces receiving the head of the bolt or screw 29, so that the head of the bolt will not rotate when the bolt or screw 29 is threaded into the nut 30. The outer flanges 28 on the other leg of the clip receive the condenser wire from-a condenser which is mounted on the condenser bracket 31 on the distributor plate 1. The free.

end of the condenser wire is therefore prevented from rotating when the nut is tightened. It is usual that the condenser wire have a conventional U-shaped contact end thereon.

The spring 19 isheldin place with respect .to. the insulation bracket member 21 when the-clip 24 is placed over across the top of the insulation member and over the outside surface of the spring 19. The insulation bracket member is secured in place to the base plate 6 by riveting one end of the insulation bracket as indicated at 32 to an upstanding ear 33 on the base plate 6. The insulation member 21 is prevented from lateral shifting by means of a downwardly projecting tongue 34 on the insulation bracket 21 engaging an elongated slot 35 in the base plate 6, Figs. 2 and 3.

The entire assembly may be merely lifted upwardly as a pre-set unit so that the brass hollow member or ferrule 8 may be lifted upwardly off the upstanding post 2 on the distributor plate 1. Therefore, in order to replace an assembly, all that is necessary is merely to partly release the nut 30 so as to free the condenser wire and then merely lift the entire pre-set assembly 5 from the distributor plate 1. To apply the assembly 5, it is merely necessary to place it over the post 2 with the slot 11 over the head 12.

The assembly unit 5 is easily assembled by merely fastening the contact arm 13 to the cylindrical insulated member 15 and then connecting the spring 19 near the free end of the contact arm 13, with the free end of the spring 19 locked in position against the insulation mem ber 21 by means of the clip 24, the insulation member being riveted to the ear 32 and maintained in position by the projection engaging the slot in the base plate.

The invention permits for easy removal, application and replacement of an entire contact assembly. All that is necessary to remove the contact assembly as a unitary pre-set element is to loosen the nut 3t and lift the entire assembly off of the post 2. The free end of the spring 19 is provided with a slot into which the screw or bolt 29 passes. One end of the spring 19, therefore, is secured by a holding clip 36 to which a rubbing block 37 is attached. The rubbing block 37 engages the usual rotary cam for shifting the contact arm for making and breaking contact.

The assembly 5 is attached to the distributor plate 1 by a mere: lifting movement. The contact arm 13 and its. spring 19 are arranged in position by merely slipping the insulating cylindrical member 15 over the tubular ferrule or part 8 on the base 6. The assembly 5 is positioned in place by merely slipping the brass hollow tubular ferrule 8, which is attached. to the base plate 6, over the distributor post 2.

The invention, therefore, provides a compact unit or unitary pre-set element, whereby the contacts 16 and 17 are. maintained inproper alinement, the contact arm 13 being prevented from shifting by means of the part or extension 23 thereof engaging the slot 22 in the spring 19. During assembly of the parts of the assembly unit 5, that is, the parts which are to be mounted on the base plate 6, the contact arm and its associated parts are maintained and held in proper position when the clip 24 is arranged in place.

Changes may be. made in the form, construction and arrangement. of. the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all such changes as fall, fairly within the scope of the following claims.

Theinvention .is claimedas follows:

1. A-cOntactassembIy comprising a distributor plate having an upstanding post thereon, a boss enlargement at the. lower. endof the post and in contact with the distributor plate, a hollow two-bore metal ferrule removably mounted on said post, one bore receiving the post and the, other bore receiving the boss enlargement, a base member upon which the ferrule is fixed, a tubular insulating member surrounding said ferrule, a contact arm having an openingwhich receives the tubular insulating member, an ear on the base member, contacts on the car and arm, a spring. engaging the contact arm and urging the contacts together, and means securing the spring to a part ofthebase member and insulated therefrom.

2..A contact assembly, for quick attachment to and detachment from a distributor plate having an upstanding post including a boss and comprising a base plate adapted to be mounted on said distributor plate, a two bore hollow metal ferrule receivable over said post and boss and fixed to said base plate, an insulated hollow member mounted over said ferrule, an ear integral with said base plate, a contact on said car, a contact arm mounted on said insulated hollow member, a contact on said arm for engagement with the first contact, a fiat spring having one end connected to said contact arm, an arm extending from said base plate, an insulating bracket fastened to said latter arm, and an inverted U-shape clip straddling said insulating bracket and the free end of said spring.

3. A contact assembly for quick attachment to and detachment from a distributor plate having an upstanding post including a boss and comprising a base plate adapted to be mounted on said distributor plate, a two bore hollow metal ferrule receivable over said post and boss and fixed to said base plate, an insulated hollow member mounted over said ferrule, an ear integral with said base plate, a Contact on said car, a contact arm mounted on said insulated hollow member, a contact on said arm for engagement with the first contact, a fiat spring having one end connected to said contact arm, an arm extending from said base plate, an insulating bracket fastened to said latter arm, an inverted U-shape clip straddling said insulating bracket and the free end of said spring, and a bolt and nut connection passing through said insulating bracket and said clip to lock the base plate, clip and free end of the spring together.

4. A contact assembly for quick attachment to and detachment from distributor plate having an upstanding post including a boss and comprising a base plate adapted to be mounted on said distributor plate, a two bore hollow metal ferrule receivable over said post and boss and fixed to said base plate, an insulated hollow member mounted over said ferrule, an ear integral with said base plate, a contact on said car, a contact arm mounted on said insulated hollow member, a contact on said arm for engagement with the first contact, a flat spring having one end connected to said contact arm, an arm extending from said base plate, an insulating bracket fastened to said latter arm, an inverted U-shape clip straddling said insulating bracket and the free end of said spring, said spring having a slot therethrough, and a projection on the contact arm receivable in said slot.

5. A unitary contact assembly comprising a base plate, a hollow two bore ferrule fixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom, an insulated hollow sleeve extending over said ferrule, a contact arm mounted on said hollow sleeve, a spring having one end connected to said arm, an ear integral with the base plate, an insulated bracket fixed to said ear, means to secure the free end of the spring to said bracket, and means to maintain said bracket in place.

6. A unitary contact assembly comprising a base plate, a hollow two bore ferrule fixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom, an insulated hollow sleeve extending over said ferrule, a contact arm mounted on said hollow sleeve, a spring having one end connected to said arm, an ear integral with the base plate, an insulated bracket fixed to said ear, means to secure the free end of the spring to said bracket, and means to maintain said bracket in place, said next to last named means comprising a metal inverted clip straddling the bracket and the free end of the spring.

7. A unitary contact assembly comprising a base plate, a hollow two bore ferrule fixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom, an insulated hollow sleeve extending over said ferrule, a contact arm mounted on said hollow sleeve, a spring having one and connected to said arm, an ear integral with the base plate, an insulated bracket fixed to said ear, means to secure the free end of the spring to said bracket, and means to maintain said bracket in place, said last named means comprising a projection on the bracket engaging a slot in the base plate.

8. A unitary contact assembly comprising a base plate, a hollow two bore ferrule fixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom, an insulated hollow sleeve extending over said ferrule, a contact arm mounted on said hollow sleeve, a spring having one end connected to said arm, an ear integral with the base plate, an insulated bracket fixed to said ear, means to secure the free end of the spring to said bracket, and means to maintain said bracket in place, said next to last named means comprising a metal inverted clip straddling the bracket and the free end of the spring, said last named means comprising a projection on the bracket engaging a slot in the base plate.

9. A unitary contact assembly comprising a base plate, a hollow two bore ferrule fixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom, an insulated hollow sleeve extending over said ferrule, a contact arm mounted on said hollow sleeve, a spring having one end connected to said arm, an ear integral with the base plate, an insulated bracket fixed to said ear, means to secure the free end of the spring to said bracket, means to maintain said bracket in place, and projections on the contact arm passing through the spring.

10. A unitary contact assembly comprising a base plate, a hollow two bore ferrule fixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom, an insulated hollow sleeve extending over said ferrule, 21 contact arm mounted on said hollow sleeve, a spring having one end connected to said arm, an ear integral with the base plate, an insulated bracket fixed to said ear, means to secure the free end of the spring to said bracket, means to main tain said bracket in place, and projections on the contact arm passing through the spring, said next to last named means comprising a metal inverted clip straddling the bracket and the free end of the spring, said last named means comprising a projection on the bracket engaging a slot in the base plate.

No references cited. 

